Chapter Text
It was a beautiful spring day in the seventh year since the defeat of Nightmare Moon, and the return of her true self, Princess Luna, younger sister and fellow diarch of Princess Celestia. Though, from Flash Sentry’s view from his bedroom window, it looked as lovely a day as any in the Crystal Empire, as the ancient stronghold of a city was always kept safe and warm from the endless northern snowstorms by a powerful ward. The pegasus stallion gently puffed at his fresh morning coffee, gazing about at the regular hustle and bustle of the crystal ponies below.
Flash hummed thoughtfully as he lifted his cup for a sip. I wonder what I should do today? His hooves clicked across the floor as his eyes fell upon his calendar hanging in the kitchen, practically covered in red ink. His eyes twitched at it with a tired groan. Feels like forever since I had a proper day off.
Flash Sentry was an active duty member of the Crystal Empire’s royal guard, one of the few serviceponies not native to the north. It had only been several weeks since the keepers of the Elements of Harmony and their allies sealed a triple-threat of villains in stone; a millenia-old tauric tyrant known as Tirek, a vindictive queen of the insectoid changelings known as Chrysalis, and, of all things, a devious pegasus filly named Cozy Glow. The three’s unlikely alliance had been the culmination of crises that had come to light since Princess Celestia’s protege, a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle, had unearthed defensive relics known as the Elements of Harmony with her five friends, defeated all sorts of evil in the name of peace and friendship, and even ascending to princessdom herself and transforming into an alicorn, like the ancient royals of the sun and moon themselves. Even weeks after the battle, Flash and his fellow guardsponies had been put on high alert, just in case some other old foe or incursion force were to show their faces. But, for now, it seemed as though things were finally going back to normal.
With another sip of his coffee, he thumbed through the pages of his calendar with an extended wing. Won’t be too long before the Summer Sun Celebration, he mused as he saw where the day of the summer solstice was marked. I wonder what the princesses have planned? They’ve gotten more elaborate since Princess Luna returned to her throne…and since Princess Twilight…For a brief moment, the image of a lavender-coated alicorn soaring through air, sending pinkish hues of starry magic trailing behind her sparked through his mind. He quickly shook the image away, and finished his coffee with a few hearty gulps. Well, whatever they do, I hope I get to take a holiday for it. It’ll be nice to be in Canterlot again. While Equestria’s capital city was known for its high unicorn population, there were still decent numbers of pegasi and earth ponies around its winding, age-old streets. Flash Sentry had been born and raised in Canterlot, and was stationed there as a private-level guard. It was only after the Crystal Empire had been liberated from the evil King Sombra, and Celestia’s adopted niece, Princess Cadance, had claimed its empty throne, that his sergeant had given him the offer to transfer. Flash had graciously accepted, overwhelmed with excitement to see a piece of the world beyond Equestria’s borders.
That had been about five years ago, and no matter how exhausted he felt now, the Crystal Empire had become his second home, and it was an honor keeping it and its denizens safe. At the end of the day, he couldn’t be prouder of his work.
Regardless, today was his day off, and he wasn’t going to turn down an easy day just to himself.
Maybe I’ll stop by the market? Flash thought, looking back at his kitchen as he moved over to recline on the couch. His busy schedule had left his food stock stretched thin. Hmm, yeah. Now that I think about it, I should probably eat something else besides coffee. Maybe I’ll go hit up that one cafe, then go to the market? Yeah, that sounds like a…
He’d been so lost in thought, he nearly jumped out of his seat at the sound of a heavy hoof knocking on his front door. He jolted towards the door with a start, and tried to settle his mane, still uneven from when he overslept, before slowly turning the knob.
“Uh, yes? Can I-?”
His voice caught in his throat when he saw who stood on the other side: a large, regal-looking, pure-white unicorn stallion with a striped navy blue mane. He stood almost a head taller than Flash Sentry, yet despite his imposing stature, looked down at him with a casual smile. Flash knew quite well who this was: Prince Shining Armor, husband to Princess Cadance and father of their child and heir, Princess Flurry Heart. Before his marriage to the princess, he had served as guard captain back in Canterlot, and upon ruling the Crystal Empire with his wife, now stood as High Commander to the empire’s forces. In short, this pony had been one of Flash’s highest commanding officers throughout his entire service.
“Morning, corporal,” Shining Armor greeted him with that same easy smile.
“Your Highness! C-Captain! Sir!” Flash immediately stood at attention, saluting the prince with his wings outstretched. It wasn’t like Flash wasn’t used to seeing his face; he couldn’t count how many times his entire post for the day had been in the castle throne room, or as bodyguard to the royal family when they were travelling. But to see one of them standing on his front step was something entirely new.
“At ease,” Shining Armor replied with a slight chuckle in his voice. “We’re both off duty today, technically.”
“Uh, right…” Flash awkwardly lowered his hoof. “Would, uh…you like to come in?”
The prince shook his head. “I won’t bother you for too long on your day off. Just wanted to pass on a message.” His horn glowed pink, and he glanced down at the satchel at his flank. A sealed envelope floated out of it and over to Flash, and he briefly made out his name on it.
“A message?” Flash echoed disbelievingly, and he looked back up from the envelope in his hoof to Shining Armor. Since when did a prince become a mailpony?
Shining Armor continued. “Well…now that it seems like things have finally calmed down in the world, we’re trying to plan proper breaks for all the serviceponies in the empire. Everypony’s been working overtime, and we want to make sure everypony gets a chance to recover.” He nodded at the envelope. “Yours is in a couple months. You’ll have two full weeks off. Thought you might want to spend some time in Canterlot with your family.”
Flash blinked down at the envelope for a moment, processing what he was saying. “Oh, for the Summer Sun Celebration?”
Shining Armor shook his head again, though Flash thought he could see a glimmer in the unicorn stallion’s eye. “Not quite. Let’s just say things are going to be a bit…different, this year.”
“Huh?”
“All the info should be in that letter. Oh, and don’t worry about reporting the leave to your sergeant. He’s already been informed.” At that, Shining Armor began to turn away. “I’ll get out of your hair, then. Enjoy your day off, corporal!”
His mouth somewhat slack, Flash Sentry watched the prince step off and over to an elaborate, crystalline carriage, where an attendant waited for him to approach before opening the door to let him in. Through the silky, magenta curtains Flash thought he could make out the shape of Princess Cadance waiting for her husband inside. The attendant hopped onto the outer seat at the front of the carriage and signaled the two royal guards hooked below. The guard closest to Flash Sentry gave him a brief, knowing nod before the sound of their hooves on stone filled the air, and they disappeared down the street.
What in Equestria…?
Flash watched them go, still not quite processing what just happened. For a moment, he made eye contact with his neighbor across the street, a middle-aged crystal pony mare. She raised her eyebrows at him like she wanted to dig into him for gossip. All he could really do was smile awkwardly at her before slowly closing the door behind him.
Unsure of what else to do, he plopped back down onto the couch and inspected the envelope. He stared at the name “Cpl. Flash Sentry” written in elegant script on the front, then flipped it over in his hooves. Stamped on the back was a turquoise-colored wax seal, emblazoned with Princess Cadance’s cutie mark, a filigreed heart. Delicately, he opened the envelope, and an ornately decorated announcement unfolded before him.
Cpl. Flash Sentry,
You are cordially invited to the coronation and ascension of Her Highness Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria. Proceedings will be held at the Canterlot Royal Grounds on the first day of the last week of summer, 4 o’clock.
This invitation is by recommendation of Their Royal Highnesses Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince-Consort Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire, with all the rights and privileges therein.
Please provide this note as proof and right of entry.
Flash stared at the invite in confusion. Ascension? But she’s already a princess. Doesn’t she already have her own castle, and everything? From what he understood, Princess Twilight’s current duties centered in the small town of Ponyville, where she had met the fellow bearers of the Elements of Harmony. She had been living there for almost seven years, and not only was her personal castle erected there, she also recently opened a school for ponies and non-ponies alike. It wasn’t like Flash knew the princess very personally, as most of it was public knowledge and whisperings he’d heard working in Princess Cadance’s castle. After all, not only were they connected through their ties to Princess Celestia, but Twilight Sparkle was also Shining Armor’s younger sister. She’d visit often, but just as quickly as she’d appear, she’d be gone, away to handle the numerous responsibilities of her own, including what felt like stopping an apocalypse or three, her five friends always at her side.
The image of her walking past him in the throne room, her navy mane trailing behind her, flickered briefly in his mind. To say Princess Twilight was an accomplished pony was an understatement. She had to have been the same age as Flash, and from what he understood, she was a Canterlot native as well, but their paths never crossed as foals. In the past, he’d heard from some of the guards directly under Shining Armor in Canterlot that Twilight had been accepted into Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns when she was a young filly, and continued studying there into her late teens. She could’ve easily gone to study advanced magic theory at one of the universities in Canterlot by then, but destiny had other plans. In less than a decade, she’d taken up the Element of Magic, saved Equestria time and time again, became an alicorn and was titled “princess,” established diplomatic relationships with all sorts of non-ponykind…her resume was certainly extensive.
Flash Sentry’s mind couldn’t help but wander. He thought back to the very first time he saw her, the day that Princess Cadance and Shining Armor got married. Queen Chrysalis, the changeling Queen that had recently been turned to stone with her cohorts, had used her innate magic to take the form of Princess Cadance, in order to feed off the magic generated by the two’s love for each other. Her plan was to not only use Shining Armor as a food source, as changelings rely on the power of emotions like love to survive, but also weasel her way into one of the seats of Equestria’s great and powerful as a side benefit. Luckily, Twilight, still a regular unicorn back then, had been able to see through the queen’s lies and rescue the real Princess Cadance. Together, she and her friends, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity, helped fight against Chrysalis and her army of changelings. Flash Sentry had still been a private back then, and only caught glimpses of the heroes before the dust settled, the changelings retreated, and Princess Cadance and Shining Armor were finally able to wed in peace.
After that, Flash would only hear of Twilight Sparkle’s exploits before seeing her again, now as a princess in her own right and visiting her brother and sister-in-law in the Crystal Empire. It was a strange thing, being in the same room as so many famous and powerful ponies, being so close but still feeling leagues away from them. They all truly were astonishing, inspiring to say the least, but Princess Twilight stood out to Flash even more so.
It was so strange then, that the one time Flash spoke directly to the princess, she seemed so…normal. Clumsy, even.
Of all things, that living legend of a pony had bumped directly into his chest, crashing into him in the middle of the hallway. Apparently she’d been overwhelmed reporting on some adventure to her friends that she hadn’t even seen him there. Of course, he probably should’ve been paying more attention himself, but he’d been half-zoned-out after a long day, and was on his way to end his post.
He froze as Princess Twilight tumbled backwards onto her hindquarters, half-stunned. She’d blinked up at Flash as she seemed to put together what happened, but instead of anger or disapproval at a simple guard knocking a royal off her feet, her violet eyes had flown wide and her face went bright red. Her mouth trembled for a moment, half-open, as if she couldn’t quite place what to say. There was something relieving, even endearing, seeing somepony like her act so ordinarily awkward. Flash couldn’t think of anything else to do but smile dopily down at her, and gently help her to her feet, which earned him a genuine, thankful, sweet smile. After that, the hallway was completely silent, and he thought he could feel Princess Cadance’s and Twilight’s five friends’ curious eyes on them. Not wanting to make the situation any more awkward for the princess, he had pushed past her with a lighthearted, “We’ve got to stop bumping into each other like this!” He spoke before he could even think. As he left down the hallway and turned the corner, he thought he could still feel Princess Twilight watching him go, and could hear her friends chattering excitedly behind him. That had been the closest the two of them had ever gotten. After that, the best he’d been able to muster when their paths would cross was a brief, warm smile.
Flash Sentry admired Princess Twilight; that much was true. It wasn’t only in the natural way a young stallion admired a mare. The way her humility never wavered despite her exploits is what truly made her stand out to him. But the moment they shared had been five long years ago, and the image of her had drifted into the back of his mind, only flickering into view occasionally, like a specter. Over time, Flash had come to accept he’d only be admiring her from afar.
His eyes fell back down to the invitation, scanning the words “ascension” and “coronation.” Was Twilight Sparkle about to soar even higher, something closer to that of Princess Celestia, a powerful alicorn who’d lived over a thousand years? He couldn’t ignore some selfish part of him that bitterly thought how she truly would be out of his reach.
Flash looked up, staring out at the clouds rolling by through his window, and had a feeling that maybe things weren’t exactly going back to normal.
xXx
Shining Armor nodded thanks to his attendant as they closed the door to the carriage behind him, still seeing Flash Sentry’s dubious face out of the corner of his eye. He plopped down onto his seat with a long breath, and met the sparkling eyes of his wife sitting across from him, her long, tricolor hair curling down her shoulder.
“So? Did you give it to him?” Cadance asked with a grin.
“Yep. But I think he was a little shocked it was specifically me giving him the invite.” They lurched slightly in their seats as the carriage started moving. “You’re really sure something like this will work?”
“I do.” Cadance’s gaze trailed out the window, watching the houses roll past them, smiling softly. “You know my intuition when it comes to these things. There’s something going on between him and Twilight. I saw it all over her face. How often has she really looked at a pony like that?”
Shining Armor hummed, “Sure…but that was years ago. Flurry Heart wasn’t even born then. Even if she was interested back then, does she still want that now? She’s got a lot going on, after all.”
“That is true, but if something like this would make her happy, why not go for it? I’m not saying they have to get married tomorrow, dear,” Cadance chuckled. Her face grew thoughtful. “I just can’t shake the feeling that something’s been holding them back. Both of them. Maybe all they need is just a little push?”
Shining Armor tipped his head back pensively and crossed his forelegs. “I dunno. I guess I never really saw Twily as looking for that kind of relationship. I mean, she has us. She has Mom and Dad. She has her friends. She has her work. She’s never given me the impression she wanted something like that, even when we were foals.”
“You know how reclusive she was when she was young. All she thought she needed was you, your family, and her books. But what happened? Princess Celestia guided her out of hiding, to her friends. And look where she is now. That avoidant little filly is now the Princess of Friendship, and soon to be ruler of all Equestria. She got out of her comfort zone, and it was all for the better. Maybe this is a similar situation? Maybe she’s scared?”
Shining Armor didn’t reply, just hummed again, and stared out the window with his chin on his hoof.
Cadance gently rested her hoof on her husband’s. “You know at the end of the day, I want Twilight to be happy. And I know you do, too.” She giggled lightly. “And maybe I’m wrong. Maybe nothing’ll come from this. All we did was give a dependable guard a well-deserved vacation. In the end, it’s their decision if they want to pursue a relationship. But nopony will know for sure what might happen if nopony tries.”
Shining Armor gently squeezed her hoof in response, “I guess you’re right there, dear.” He furrowed his brow. “But if Flash Sentry hurts her, I swear–!”
“Sweetheart.” The corner of Cadance’s smile twitched. “Twilight can handle herself. I’m sure everything will be just fine.” She chuckled, then leaned to quickly kiss his cheek. “Especially if he makes her just as happy as you do me.”
“Aw, jeez…” The stallion visibly blushed. “Okay, okay…You win. Guess I’m finally starting to put together how grown up Twily really is.”
“She’ll always be your little sister, dear. And it’s natural to be worried. But I really do believe this could be a good thing for her.”
Shining Armor couldn’t hold back a chuckle of his own. “Let’s just hope Flash’s as good a stallion as he is a soldier.”